Sprinkler All of Partially-Underground Garage?

8/2/2022

I have a parking structure that is sitting in the middle of an apartment complex. The bottom two floors are "podium" design and the architect is saying those floors are "enclosed" - thus requiring dry sprinklers throughout those floors.

Above the podium the garage floors are considered "open" and therefore I believe do not require sprinklers.

Has anyone run into a similar situation?

Perhaps with a parking structure that has underground portions and above ground portions?

In those cases, what is the code logic for sprinklers in one area versus throughout?

Thanks for any assistance!

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9 Comments

Anthony

8/2/2022 07:04:27 am

Unless there is a fire/occupancy separation you must have sprinklers throughout a structure. I'd be very curious how you can have 2 separate garage areas? In general its poor design to work the code so you have partial sprinkler systems, no one likes that situation form first responders to maintenance.

Jesse

8/2/2022 08:09:32 am

My initial reaction is that this is a bad idea. I don't see how you would create adequate fire separation to justify a partial AS system.

Glenn Berger

8/2/2022 08:12:42 am

1) The new NFPA 88A requires all garages, open and enclosed, to be sprinklered.

2) As far as the upper floors in the garage being considered opened, you need to review the previous version of NFPA 88A and determine whether or not the garage is truly a defined as an open garage.

Michael Millman

11/14/2022 03:03:06 pm

NFPA 88A is not a "referenced standard" in most jurisdictions, therefore it is not a code requirement. There are plenty of things that are good practice but are not code requirements.

If you are in a jurisdiction that uses IBC/IFC as the model building and fire codes, you should check Chapter 35 of IBC/Chapter 80 of IFC to determine which standards are referenced (and therefore become code requirements by reference).

IBC 2021 requires Open Parking Garages to be sprinklered once they cross 48,000 sq. ft. Previous editions did not have this explicit limitation.

8/2/2022 08:27:57 am

I have designed the same type of structure. It has a dry system on each of the three floors above grade, and also including the basement, where the fire pump and dry valve are located.

Todd E Wyatt

8/2/2022 08:32:56 am

The scoping Code that requires protection with an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is the adopted building Code (e.g. IBC and/or NFPA 101). The referenced standards (NFPA 13) inform how the ASPS is to be installed, inspected, tested, and maintained.

The 2021 IBC identifies the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) of a building including if a parking garage (PG) is defined as “open” or “enclosed” (see Section 406 Motor-Vehicle-Related Occupancies). 2021 IBC 406.6.3 requires an enclosed parking garage to be equipped with an ASPS per 903.2.10. Ch 4 does not require an open PG to be equipped with an ASPS but a standpipe system is required per 406.5.8. IBC Chapter 9, 902.2.10 Group S-2 Parking Garages includes (2) ASPS requirements for open PGs and (1) ASPS requirement for closed PGs.

Alex

8/2/2022 02:48:45 pm

Hi,

As others have mentioned, you would need a fire separation in order not to sprinkler the entire structure.

Thanks,
Alex

sean

8/2/2022 08:51:52 pm

you need it everywhere. I had this come up caused a big change order.

Tim

8/3/2022 03:22:34 am

Traditionally the open ventilated floor could be done without sprinklers. The concern that we all are facing globally is that vehicle parking is no longer low risk because of Li-Ion batteries in electrical vehicles.

electrical vehicle fire can burn and expose structures well beyond normal fire conditions expected.

In a future proof design sprinkler protect throughout to all levels should be considered.

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Sprinkler All of Partially-Underground Garage?

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